The scheme is aimed at stopping councils setting up selective licensing schemes covering large areas without good reason. The order takes effect from March 27, 2015.

“All applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis and councils must prove why they need to introduce blanket licensing,” said a spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The regulations demand the area for designation as selective licensing neighbourhood to have a large number of private rented homes and that these homes match at least one of four other conditions:

The homes are a danger to health and safety

The homes are overcrowded

The licensing zone is a deprived area

The neighbourhood suffers from too much crime

“Selective licensing can play an effective role in tackling criminal landlords and linked activities, for example illegal immigration,” said the spokesman. “When it is applied in a borough wide fashion and not properly enforced, it
can affect the majority of landlords who provide a good service. The government is mindful of this when considering the use of selective licensing.”